Law School Module Details
The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module.
Title Law of the European Union (Semester 1)
Code LAW003
Coordinator Dr S Reynolds
Law
S.Reynolds@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2022-23 Level 5 FHEQ First Semester 15

Aims

1. To introduce the constitutional and institutional law of the European Union.
2. To develop an understanding of EU legislative procedures; the nature and limits of Union competence; and the system of judicial review governing Union acts.
3. To explore the application of EU law within national legal systems.
4. To encourage you to think critically about the integration process, e.g., the democratic character of EU decision-making processes and the effectiveness of the system of judicial protection against Union acts.

Learning Outcomes

(LO1) Demonstrate a basic understanding of the constitutional and institutional law of the European Union.

(LO2) Understand, apply, and critique the Union legal method.

(LO3) Handle Union legal materials, including the case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union, EU Treaties and Union legislation.

(LO4) Think critically about the evolving process of EU integration.

(LO5) Apply specialist knowledge to consider contemporary issues in the field of study.

(LO6) Think critically about the evolving process of less EU integration

(S1) Communication (oral, written and visual) - Academic writing (inc. referencing skills)

(S2) Critical thinking and problem solving - Critical analysis

(S3) Research skills - Awareness of /commitment to academic integrity

(S4) Time and project management - Project planning

(S5) Critical thinking and problem solving - Evaluation

(S6) Skills in using technology - Using common applications (work processing, databases, spreadsheets etc.)

Syllabus
 

The topics of the syllabus will cover areas such as;
1) fundamentals of EU legal order, e.g. Treaties and hierarchy of legal norms
2) EU institutions (European Council, Council, European Parliament, Commission etc) and decision-making processes (legislative and non-legislative)
3) EU system of competences, e.g. attributed powers, subsidiarity, proportionality, Charter of Fundamental Rights, general principles of Union law, judicial review of Union acts
4) EU law in Member State legal systems, e.g. consistent interpretation, direct effect, primacy, effective judicial protection
5) EU law in the UK legal system: UK withdrawal from EU; key features of EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement; key features of domestic system of “retained EU law

Teaching and Learning Strategies

4 x 1.5 hour seminars –
- introduction to module and EU law
- EU institutions and decision-making procedures
- EU system of competences
- EU law in Member State legal systems

Lectures and Activities 22 x 1hr – 22hr

Synchronous Seminars 4 x 1.5 hr – 6 hr

Teaching Schedule
  Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
Study Hours 22

 6

         28
Timetable (if known)              
Private Study 122
TOTAL HOURS 150

Assessment
EXAM Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
             
CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
MCQ component (sem 1) 10% module weighting MCQs are marked on pass/fail basis – students must achieve 75% i.e. complete 3/4 MCQ exercises each semester to gain 10%. There is no resit opportunity  0    10       
Coursework (sem 1) 90% module weighting – 2000 word limit  0    90       

Recommended Texts
Reading lists are managed at readinglists.liverpool.ac.uk. Click here to access the reading lists for this module.

Other Staff Teaching on this Module
Dr SJ Currie Law Samantha.Currie@liverpool.ac.uk
Mr AW Woodhouse Law A.Woodhouse2@liverpool.ac.uk
Miss DA Lawson Law D.Lawson@liverpool.ac.uk

Modules for which this module is a pre-requisite:
 

Pre-requisites before taking this module (other modules and/or general educational/academic requirements):
 

Co-requisite modules:
 

Programme(s) (including Year of Study) to which this module is available on a required basis:
 

Programme(s) (including Year of Study) to which this module is available on an optional basis:
 

Additional Programme Information